Enfield Ignatians brought their London Two North East season to a close with a 47-26 reverse away to third-placed Rochford Hundred on Saturday.

The result leaves Ignatians in sixth place, dead mid-table, equalling their finish from the 2012/13 campaign. They have managed to score a record 100 touchdowns this season and amassed a bonus point for scoring four tries in this game.

On this occasion however, a skilful Rochford Hundred unit proved once again to be a bogey team for the Ignatians.

The home-side led 33-14 at the end of the first period, leaving a lot of work for the visitors to do.

In trying to recover the deficit, David Gear put in an impressive performance for the Blue and Golds in the backrow upon his return from University. Ignatians also scored a powerful try in which Tan Mbonu and Keir Bonnar were both heavily involved.

Ignatians enjoyed their best spell around the hour mark. Forward pressure underpinned their third try and the in-form Bonnar claimed his side's final touchdown by bursting clean through the Rochford defence. Jordan Wilson added a third conversion to give some hope as they homed-in on the Rochford lead, pulling back to 33-26.

Rochford eventually regained their composure and through a combination of Ignatians' mistakes followed by some clinical play, the Essex side scored two more tries to run out deserved winners.

Speaking afterwards, coach Steve Atkinson said: "Our phase play defence was weak and it cost us tries, and we paid the price for a slow start.

"However, once the backs got some good ball, I thought we looked quite dynamic."

There was better news for the club's other teams as, hot on the heels of the title winning second team, the thirds marched to the Herts-Middlesex Merit Table Three Cup final on April 26 following a 27-7 semi-final win away to Welwyn thirds.